The Minister for Home Affairs, Connétable Len Norman, has approved a change in policy to make 150 seasonal work permits available for the hospitality industry.
The new permits will allow hospitality businesses to employ workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for up to 9 months. Workers employed under the scheme will then be required to leave the island for at least three months, before they can return under the permit.
Connétable Norman said: “The Jersey Hospitality Association has set out a detailed case outlining the need for the industry to be able to recruit additional workers from outside the EEA. Hospitality is a key industry for our island, but recruiting sufficient seasonal workers has proved challenging for many hospitality businesses in recent years.
“In light of these challenges, I am satisfied that it is necessary to make 150 work permits available in order to make sure that hospitality businesses can employ sufficient staff over the coming season. Hospitality is very important for our island, and tourists and locals alike enjoy the wide variety of hotels, restaurants and cafés that the island has to offer. The sector provides huge economic benefits to our island, and it is vital that we do what we can to support and protect local businesses.”
The Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senator Lyndon Farnham, said: “I am grateful to the Home Affairs Minister for his work on this issue and pleased that the hospitality sector will have access to the skilled workers that it requires, without this having a long term impact on the Island’s total population.”
The scheme will initially launch as a two-year trial. The Minister will review the change in policy once the trial period is over.
Government of Jersey Press Release.